7 Ways to Increase Storage Space in a Small Kitchen

Kitchen Remodeling Jan 20

It can be tough to prepare meals in a small kitchen without feeling closed-in by clutter and a lack of space. Most homeowners would love the luxury of a bigger kitchen, but don’t see a solution to limited square footage. But with a few design changes to increase storage space and functionality, even the smallest kitchen space can be made to feel larger and more inviting. Here are seven ways to increase storage space in a small kitchen:

1. Remodel the Pantry

Many pantries contain unused space that can easily be repurposed for extra storage. The installation of pull-out drawers and racks will allow for the packing of pantry items into a fraction of the space that these items would take up on normal pantry shelving. Long, shallow shelves installed on the insides of pantry doors are a great way to create extra storage space for items such as spices or cans of soup, while still allowing for easy visual identification of food items. A kitchen remodeling professional in Livonia can recommend the style of shelving and organization that will work best for each pantry.

2. Install a Kitchen Island

When it comes to space-saving, kitchen islands win big. Adding a kitchen island can make the most of unused floor space by increasing cabinet storage and food prep areas. Kitchen island pull-out shelving or drawers can be used to store pantry-type items such as canned goods, bottles, and oils, and adding a few horizontal shelves provides space for cookbooks. The addition of wire baskets can hold items such as measuring spoons and food storage containers. A butcher-block top eliminates the need for separate cutting boards, or alternatively, a pull-out cutting board can easily be installed. Installing bars on the side of an island provides space for hanging towels or utensils. A kitchen remodeling professional in Clarkston can select the perfect kitchen island to maximize space and storage.

3. Utilize Wall and Ceiling Space

Items that take up shelf space and don’t stack up well can be hung on hooks. Pots, pans, cutlery, measuring spoons, cups, and even kitchen decor items all display nicely on a pegboard. Hooks in walls or cabinets at an easily-accessible height provide convenience and create extra storage. Suspending items will help clear up space in cabinets, where more bulky items can easily fit. Ceiling space can be utilized by installing a hanging pot rack to add visual interest and declutter other kitchen spaces; spaces above stoves or kitchen island work well for hanging pot racks.Open shelving—whether mounted on a wall or free-hanging from the ceiling—can greatly increase kitchen storage capabilities. Choosing visually pleasing items to display there will also result in an increase in space down below.

4. Remodel Existing Cabinetry

If remodeling kitchen cabinets is a budget possibility, consider installing custom pull-out drawers and additional shelving. Pull-out drawers can maximize storage and make use of all available cabinet space while adding convenience. The addition of extra shelves to existing cabinets can double the storage capacity in the same amount of space. Instead of deep cabinets stacked high with dishes, glassware, or mugs, additional shelving creates vertical storage space where none previously existed and reduces the need for stacking fragile items.Another way to create extra storage is to use the space on the inside of cabinet doors. Racks made of wood or wire installed there can be used for spices, canned goods, or cooking oils, and not only add space, but also make the kitchen look cleaner by removing clutter from countertops.If there’s a corner cabinet in the kitchen, consider adding a lazy Susan. Lazy Susan’s installed in corner cabinets often feature two revolving shelves stacked on a single spindle to make the most of every square inch of space. While traditional corner cabinets can result in stored items getting pushed to the back of the cupboard, a Lazy Susan in the same space can hold serving dishes, pots, or food items to create easily-accessible revolving storage.With just a small remodeling budget, homeowners can add taller cabinets that extend up to the ceiling to maximize vertical storage space. To ensure that tall cabinets don’t stand out or make a small room appear smaller, they can match the wall color so as to blend in visually and create a monochrome look.Kitchen remodeling professionals in Clarkston are experts at assessing existing cabinet space and finding solutions that work for smaller kitchens.

5. Utilize Under-Sink Storage

The space under a kitchen sink can be a cluttered mess, adding to the disorganized feel of some small kitchens. But rolling drawers and under-cabinet organizers can help make the most of sink area storage. Rolling pull-out drawers can be used to store cleaning supplies or plastic bags, and a pull-out trash can assembly can hide mess and cut down on garbage odors. A tilt-down drawer installed just under the sink can replace the false drawers usually found there, and can be a handy way to store sponges, dish brushes, drain stoppers, and other small items usually found by the sink. The result is a cleaner-looking sink area without clutter or mess. A kitchen remodeling professional in Livonia can help evaluate the available under-sink storage area and install pull-out or tilting drawers to maximize space and beauty.

6. Create Recessed Storage

If a slightly larger design project or remodel is in the budget, consider creating a recessed pantry or storage space between the wall studs. Removing plaster or drywall to create a finished space with installed shelving adds a large amount of storage and repurposes an area that would otherwise be wasted. In many cases, reclaiming this hidden wall space requires remodeling only one area instead of the whole kitchen. A Clarkston kitchen remodeling professional can assess the kitchen wall structure to see if a new pantry is possible.

7. Utilize “Hidden” Space

Even if a kitchen’s footprint is small, it no doubt contains hidden areas that can be turned into functional storage space. For example, the forgotten area between a refrigerator and a wall can be used to store a step-stool or cleaning tools such as brooms and mops. If the area is large enough, narrow pull-out shelves can add storage space for smaller cleaning supplies and can turn a previously unused area into an organized cleaning station or utility cabinet.Kitchen remodeling professionals in Livonia can create unique solutions that work to increase storage space, beauty, and functionality in every kitchen.